resting just an inch away....

that's what it feels like
on a large cushioned chair
finally resting resting but so close
strange to feel him so close and
him with so much more wisdom
since he's already moved thru the veil of tears
"not necessary" i know he says that to me
when i seem to well up leaky
at the moments when closest to understanding
he is free of the body
and now is just resting....
hmmm

i understand the freedom of slipping off this mortal coil
that shakespeare knew a thing or two.

and a beautiful honor just bestowed--
ellen geer just told me she'd like to dedicate this
season at Theatricum Botanicum to T
here's what i wrote


“….and when he shall die
cut him up into little stars
for he shall make the face of heaven so bright
that all the world will be in love with night and
pay no more worship to the garish sun…"
Gallop apace- Juliet


My darling husband, companion and best friend for the last twenty-seven years, TONY SHULTZ, shines over you tonight. Look above you. Starring above this theatre that he loved and helped to create.

Drawn here by the warmth and open heart of Will Geer and his family, Tony happily told the tale of helping to build the original theater where he was lucky enough to play his first Romeo to Melora Marshall’s Juliet. Tony met Will on a film set where he was working as a stand in for Burt Lancaster. Will took a shine to the handsome young man with a passionate edge and asked him what role he’d most like to play.
“Romeo”, said T.
“Come out to Topanga next week. We’ll build a theatre.”
And so they did.

And through all his acting years in New York appearing in the original GREASE, THE BAKERS WIFE, PLATINUM, - and then on to his business life in real estate and serving on the Board of LA’S BEST as well as THEATRICUM-- Tony always returned here, introducing his family to the magic of the theatre with great pride. When our then seven-year-old daughter happily recited Helena in MIDSUMMER for her first Shakespeare class, and frolicked as Peaseblossom here in Topanga, he thanked Sofie’s teacher with the words, “Will would be proud.”

We are honored that Ellen has chosen to invoke Tony’s sweet strength as a blessing for this season. He is honored. He is here and he, along with Will, would be proud.

Blessings
Susan Merson Shultz and
Sofie Shultz